Visiting Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) H.E. Mr. Rashid Alimov today called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at PM Office. This is the first visit of SCO Secretary General after Pakistan’s full membership of SCO.

The Prime Minister thanked Secretary General for his support in steering the process of Pakistan’s membership of SCO and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment towards “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development.

Pakistan shares with SCO and its Members, deep rooted historical and cultural links and strong economic and strategic complementarities. Highlighting Pakistan’s active participation in all the SCO activities; the Prime Minister appreciated that SCO has established itself as a significant and influential player in the international arena by leveraging its comparative advantages. Its unique and pragmatic portfolio of economic, trade, development, security and counter terrorism cooperation distinguishes it from the other international organizations.

The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s support towards SCO’s connectivity initiatives and offered to connect CPEC with SCO’s 6 approved routes which would greatly enhance their vitality to become a conduit for linking Eurasian landmass, China, Russia and Central Asia with the Arabian Sea.

The Prime Minister also expressed support for various SCO’s initiatives including the establishment of SCO Development Bank, SCO Development Fund, SCO Business Council, SCO Interbank Consortium and SCO’s initiative on Small and Medium Enterprises.

While expressing support for the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s strong opposition to the three evils of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

The Secretary General appreciated Pakistan’s active participation in all SCO activities. He stated that the inclusion of new members like Pakistan has greatly strengthened SCO which has emerged as a true cross regional and cross continental organization playing a multifaceted role in the world politics.

He said that SCO can enormously benefit from Pakistan’s experience in successful combating of the menace of terrorism, narcotics and drugs as well as its economic strengths and connectivity potentials.